How to Make Bar Graph Excel

Welcome to this Excel tutorial on how to make a Bar Graph using Microsoft Excel. Bar graphs are commonly used to represent data in a visually appealing and concise manner. Whether you are creating a chart for a business presentation or a school project, knowing how to make a bar graph in Excel is a useful skill. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to create a bar graph in Excel, from selecting data to formatting the chart. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Select Your Data

The first step in making a bar graph in Excel is selecting the data you want to visualize. To do this, open your Excel spreadsheet and highlight the cells that contain the data you want to use for your bar graph. Make sure to include the column and row headers if you have them, as they will be necessary to label your bar graph.

Step 2: Insert the Bar Graph

Once you have highlighted your data, you can insert a bar graph by clicking on the “Insert” tab in the Excel ribbon. Under the Charts section, select “Bar” and then choose the type of bar graph you want to create. For this tutorial, we will use a simple “Clustered Bar” graph. Clicking on this option will insert a blank bar graph into your spreadsheet.

Step 3: Edit Your Bar Graph

Before your bar graph is complete, you will need to edit it to include your selected data and make any necessary formatting adjustments. Begin by clicking on the bar graph to activate the “Chart Tools” within the ribbon. You can then select “Source Data” to import the data that you have selected. Make sure to verify that the correct cells are selected before clicking “OK.”

Formatting Your Bar Graph

To format your bar graph for a clean and professional look, experiment with options such as changing the bar colors, adding data labels, and adjusting the axis bounds. You can access these options by selecting the different elements of your bar graph and using the various formatting tools in the “Chart Tools” ribbon.

Step 4: Label Your Bar Graph

To make your bar graph understandable to others, you will need to add descriptive labels that will assist your readers in understanding the data. To do this, select the chart area of your bar graph, and then click on the “Layout” tab within the “Chart Tools” ribbon. From here, you can add chart titles, axis titles, and change the font type and size.

Step 5: Review Your Bar Graph

Before you finalize your bar graph, take the time to review it (at different zoom levels) to ensure that all data has been correctly entered, that it is organized in a readable manner, and that the intended story is portrayed accurately. If you find a small mistake, you can quickly make adjustments until you have a clean, understandable bar graph.

Congratulations, you now know how to make a bar graph in Excel! With the versatility of Excel, you can now turn that data into clear, organized, and understandable visualizations in just a matter of minutes. By selecting your data, inserting the graph, editing the look, labeling it correctly and reviewing it, you’ll be able to create informative bar graphs without too much trouble.

Formatting Tips

To help your bar graph stand out, consider trying some of these formatting tips:

2D vs 3D

You can choose to make your bar graph either 2D or 3D. While 3D graphs can add a bit of visual interest, they can sometimes make the data harder to read. Keep in mind that your primary goal is to communicate the data as clearly as possible so that others can understand it quickly. So, stick with a 2D graph for easier comprehension.

Axis Scaling

Take care to select the appropriate scale for your axis. If you have a wide range of numbers, you may need to use a logarithmic scale. If your data is all relatively close together, a linear scale will work just fine. Excel can automatically select an appropriate axis scale for you, or you can customize your preferred scale.

Color Selection

Selecting the right color palette for your bar graph can make it easier to read and more visually appealing. Avoid using too many colors or garish patterns; instead, choose a few harmonious colors that best represent your data. Try to also keep in mind any surrounding color schemes in presentations; it’s often best to use colors that blend well together versus clashing.

Why Use Bar Graphs in Excel?

Bar graphs are a useful tool for representing data because they can be easily understood at a glance. This makes them popular in business settings, scientific research, and even in personal finance. When you’re dealing with large amounts of information, bar graphs can be a useful way to break it down into smaller, more understandable chunks.

Final Thoughts

Creating bar graphs in Excel is an excellent skill to have, both in the workplace and school. With the help of this tutorial, you should now have everything you need to create professional-looking bar graphs in just a few easy steps. Experiment with various formatting options and take the time to review your work, and soon you’ll have created stylized and informative graphs that beautifully illustrate data.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about creating bar graphs in Excel:

What type of data is best represented using a bar graph?

Bar graphs work well for categorical data, where the data is organized into non-overlapping categories. This could include data such as customer satisfaction ratings or sales figures by quarter. For numerical data, a histogram or scatter plot may be the better representation.

What is the difference between a bar graph and a column graph?

In Excel, a bar graph is essentially the same as a column graph, except that the columns are horizontal instead of vertical. The choice of which to use is mainly a matter of personal preference and the nature of the data being presented.

What is the benefit of using a clustered bar graph?

A clustered bar graph is useful when you want to compare two or more sets of data. By clustering the columns together, you can easily compare the values of one set of data to the corresponding values of another set of data. For example, you could use a clustered bar graph to compare the sales figures of two different products over a period of time.

Can I add data to an existing bar graph?

Yes, you can easily add data to an existing bar graph by selecting the graph and then editing the data range. You can then adjust any formatting as needed to make sure the new data is properly represented in the graph.

How do I save my bar graph as an image or PDF?

To save your bar graph as an image or PDF, select the graph and then go to “File” > “Save As.” In the “Save As” dialog box, choose your desired file format (such as JPEG or PDF) and then save the file to your desired location.